devilwasp I think it really depends on what type of stress the metal or plastic will be under. Gun barrels under very high pressure are always going
to be made of metal for the near future just like the XM-8. The OICW even has its 20mm barrel is made of titanium. Thats a metal not often used as
rifling titanium is a pain.

But for parts like the stock, clip, grips it really not smart to make those metal. Plastic on those parts are so much better then using metal.

Its not like using plastic on guns is new on the XM-8 the glock is mostly made of plastic and I never heard of one of them falling and breaking. The
MP-5 uses lots of plastic and I never heard of any problems.

Things to keep a eye on in the future of guns is ceramics and composites things like perhaps carbon fiber very strong stuff. And even carbon nano
tubes which will be way stronger then metal.

FIBER GLASS, is probably what your canoe is made of, not carbon fiber. And it comes in different densities and strengths. Carbon fiber is used in
aircraft manufacture and in some instances in place of steel or alloys. It is incredibly strong for it's weight.

That is no doubt in Iraq as evident from the hand in the background. I have to say thats the first I heard of any PMC
getting thier hands on a XM-8.

I wonder if they have anyone in the military using the XM-8 or XM-29 yet. I would think it would be a ideal place to test them out in a small scale in
real combat.

Those PMCs guys are some crazy guys one of my friends was offered a job buy a company to go over to Iraq. You get a briefcase with $200,000 when you
come back from the company that contacted him. They showed him all the death rates/stats. before he signed up and that made him change his mind.

Short barrels- less velocity, more noise and more muzzle flash. Muzzle flash ruins night vision and gives away your position.

Ive NEVER liked those plastic guns, they look like they were made by a Matel toy designer on crack. Ive been on H&K's site many times, and while I
respect many of their guns such as the USP, I think this one needs improvement to say the least.

Anyone seen that new polymer-cased ammo? Christ, next they will make entire guns out of 100% plastic...

"Chris Neidrich of Clearwater was a former Navy SEAL who had worked as a bodyguard since since 1993. He died Saturday in Iraq in a gunbattle."
By VICKIE CHACHERE The Associated Press
Published: Jun 8, 2004

His gun is def. the Commando. Look at how it's slung. Instant readiness. Plus if he's (was) an ex-Seal then he would choose the weapon he is most
familiar with if his life depends on it.
I'd take an M4, wouldn't touch an M16 though. But then what would I know?

The XM8 is made of thick fiberglass like plastic to make it lighter. when droped it does not hit as hard as say a metal rifle because it lacks the
weight. Like ShadowXIX said, you drop a metal clip it dents but the plastic clip does not fall as fast or hit as hard so it is not harmed. The XM8 is
said to be unjamable, versatile, lightweight, and efficient. I don't like it, I design military equipment and other things. 2 years ago I designed a
rifle with a gas system that does not only power rifle's bolt back, but after pushing the blot back it reroutes back into the barrel, reducing ware
and tear and making the overall operation smoother, and now the XM8 uses this same system. So I am designing a rifle thats even better than the XM8.
It's accurate, lighweight, has reduced recoil and is unjamable. It can not only be completely burried in sand but in mud and water this can be done
because when the clip is in it forms a water-tight seal making the chamber inaccesible from any whare but through the barrel. It can also be fired
underwater, but must be recocked for each shot since the gas systems cannot push the bolt back correctly underwater. If you drop the clip in mud and
get the bullets covered in mud then load the clip every round chambered is automatically cleaned preventing jams. To save precious reloading time it
has a special lock that when the clip is empty and you fire your last shot it locks the bolt back so all you have to do is take the empty clip out and
put the full clip in. Once the new clip is in the bolt is automatically released so you can immedietly begin fireing again but you can still uncock
the rifle for safe storage. It has 3 round burst, full auto, and semi and safe. It can do pretty much all the things the XM8 can do and more. I'm
only 15 so I can't make or sell any of my designs but once I can I hope to beat H&K or join them.

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